Midday Note

February 29, 2008

Midday Note: Students join the protest fun

Yesterday at Holy Redeemer High School, it was the teachers who stayed home in protest.

Today, it was the students' turn to show their displeasure with the Diocese of Scranton's decision to prevent area Catholic school teachers from unionizing. Holy Redeemer students walked out of their school early this morning for a brief but boisterous protest.

Carrying signs that read "What Would Jesus Do?" and "Got Union," students marched around the school and held a rally in the school's student parking lot.

Unfortunately for the students and teachers, they are dealing with a man, Bishop Joseph Martino, who is inflexible.

 

In a lot of ways, Martino reminds me of the character "Fonzie" from the TV show "Happy Days." Fonzie always believed he was right. And even when he was presented with overwhelming evidence to the contrary, "The Fonz" couldn't bring himself to say he was wrong.

Eventually, of course, Fonzie was able to admit the error of his ways. It might be time for the good bishop to purchase a set of "Happy Days" DVDs.

Of course, we covered the protest for you. Staff writer Mark Guydish was on the scene to provide the words and photographer Clark Van Orden supplied video and photos.

Now let's take a look at what else we have on the Web site:

-- Former Times Leader sports writer Doug Pape has landed a new job. Doug was named to replace Sam Guesto as Luzerne County's Chief Clerk/Manager yesterday by the county commissioners. I wish Doug luck in landing that master's degree in  public administration he is working on.

-- If you are driving this afternoon, keep an eye on the weather. The state Department of Transportation is warning of possible white-out conditions as a winter storm moves into the area later today.

-- And, of course, our sports staff has previews of the swimming and wrestling championships that are starting today. Check back later for updated results.

Those are today's highlights.

As always, if you have a complaint, comment or question, drop me a line at jsoprano@timesleader.com or call me at 829-7164.

Thanks for reading.

-- Joe Soprano

 

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